Arbours Association Archive

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Reference number	ARBOURS
Level of description	Collection
Date(s)	Creation: 1970-2005
Extent and medium	130 boxes approx
Scope and content	┆Papers of the Arbours Association Ltd. Including but not limited to, administrative records, resident and staff records, publications, financial records, correspondence, minutes, publicity material, newsletters. Arranged in three series: Core work \- primarily relating to the provision of therapy and non-clinical accommodation for people in a mental health crisis. Fundraising and publicity, publications and events Governance \- primarily relating to the running of the organisation Subsidiary Associations \- associations that were financially supported by Arbours Association Ltd as part of their professional and legal responsibilities
History	The Arbours Association is a mental health organisation based in North London, and until 2020 operated three therapeutic communities. It was established in 1970 by Dr Joseph Berke and Dr Morton Schatzman in Muswell Hill, the name drawing on the Hebrew text 'and he shall build arbours over them'. Through establishing a therapeutic community in Muswell Hill, Berke and Schatzman aimed to provide a non-institutional alternative to psychiatric treatment for individuals with emotional, psychological and social difficulties. The residential home accommodated up to eight residents aiming for an even balance of men and women within the community. Soon after the Association added several more residential therapeutic communities around London, and by provided psychotherapy services and training programmes from their head office in Hornsey, North London. The Crisis Centre provided a temporary home for people at crisis point, often experiencing psychosis, depression, mania, and substance addiction. Many were referred from hospital secure units. The unique aspect of the Arbours approach to residential therapy was to have therapists permanently living alongside the residents in a professional capacity, with no locked doors. Residents and guests were required to attend group meetings, and encouraged to take part in art therapy, psychotherapy and social events. Arbours is unique in that it offered therapy and accommodation to families and partners, so that the person in crisis could maintain a relationship with them during their residency.
Name of creator(s)	Arbours Association Ltd
Access status	MIXED
Conditions governing access	Access restricted to client files and other personal information
Language	ENG